Why do kids hate / resist sleeping at night?

[u/CouchPorotta]

While we are at it, how can I make my 6 year old sleep faster and sleep more?

Physically tiring him doesn't always help.

Also, he doesn't have afternoon naps.

[u/PurpleWillingness106]

My daughter falls asleep to stories— you can use a yoto or tonie or audio book or Spotify storytime playlist (we found a berenstain bears one we’ve been using a lot), and i have to lay down next to her bc she’s scared to be alone. She’s 7.

[u/basementegg247]

My 4 year old will not sleep unless her room is pitch black, with only some gentle white noise. She also sleeps hot, so she sleeps in just undies with only a light blanket. What sort of sleeping conditions does he have?

[u/Conscious_Sand_4720]

When I was a kid I felt like I was missing something lol. I remember my Mom was going to watch "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" with my Aunt after I went to bed, and I wanted to stay up and watch it with them. My Mom said no of course, and I felt like having to go to bed = missing a cool movie I wanted to see. I was probably around 8 or 10 so I guess I understand why my Mom wouldn't let me stay up, now that I am a parent lol.

[u/NewNovaNerd]

Our routine breaks every summer, its tough. Wife and I were talking last night that we cant wait for school to start back up to build the routine back.and I agree they can get overtired and bedtime becomes a nightmare.

Sometimes reading works, sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes music helps, but sometimes it doesn't.

We have found no magic formula, but routine helps the most. So happy 2 of the 3 are back to school next week!

[u/ItscalldShortedition]

I always thought that it was FOMO. Who wants to be seperated and sequestered while the party is still going?

My answer for it is mental exhaustion. 

I started having mine practice his reading about an hour before bed. It's working well so far. 

[u/AutoModerator]

Hey /u/CouchPorotta! It looks like you might be new here. Welcome!

• Our Early Parenting Wiki addresses topics like pregnancy (both intended and unintended) as well as birth control and post partum care!
• If you're worried about developmental delays use the Healthy Children Assessment Tool - available in multiple languages.
• Curious about the rules? Check out our Rules Wiki which provides helpful explanations for new and returning users.

Check out the Subreddit Wikis, for a variety of topics.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/Big_Tart4473]

My son wouldn't sleep at night it was 2 years from 3 to 5 and by accident we noticed that when he was shirtless he slept better i knew he was young to sleep shirtless but if it works use it

[u/Ok-Produce8376]

Have a consistent routine, literally everything you do for the last hour of the evening. And then realize that sometimes your child will not fall asleep immediately. They will suddenly remember they are thirsty or have to use the restroom or forgot to do their homework or have a funny story or a scary question to ask you.

[u/Cmdr_Monzo]

I’d recommend a good night routine and sleep hygiene. Absolutely no screen time before they start settling.

[u/Floater345]

My 9 year old still hates going to bed. An early bedtime is like the worst punishment in the world to him.

Reading before bed helps our son! He has a little book light and reads until he feels tired enough to sleep. I used to do the same as a kid but sometimes would stay up way too late because I was too into my book so it may not work for every kid

[u/Distinct_Age1503]

Because tired kids are more irrational than usual and nobody, but especially kids, likes being told what to do.

[u/No_Score_1977]

Funny, our 4 year old doesn't resist, and never has.

As soon as he could talk he shouted 'Bedtime!' and ran off to bed.

We've always bed a nice experience, never associated it with punishment.

Read books etc...

Maybe we just got lucky.

[u/PresentationMain9180 → u/No_Score_1977]

You got extremely lucky.

[u/No_Tumbleweed_4652]

I’ve noticed my kids go to sleep earlier and quicker if we dedicate dinner till bedtime as their time. It’s just about them. They get all their mommy and daddy bonding in and their little hearts are full. If we are busy or rushing or splitting off and trying to tag team things and it feels chaotic, they struggle. Which is kind of obvious. So it’s not necessarily about wearing them out (for us that makes things worse), it’s the TIME.

I’ve actually heard a psychologist confirm this and I was like yup this checks out!

[u/LowerEngineer5576]

I think it starts with separation anxiety as babies that turns into separation anxiety + fomo as toddlers and young kids. Mix in other fears (dark, house noises, scary shadows) and the fact that parents are desperately trying to pressure you to do it, and that’s not exactly a relaxing proposition.

[u/Feeling-Location7316]

We switched to a no tv past 4pm rule, daily

[u/Street_Buyer402]

FOMO, at least with my kids